Mr. Big Mistake (Kinda Cocky Book 2)

by J. P. Comeau

  I groaned. “Okay. I’m done talking about this.”

  “Dude. Brenden. You're my brother, okay? I’m not gonna lie to you or shit like that. But, you’re a bachelor. You had to set up an entire room for her that’s different than the rest of your place because you don’t live the life she wants to live.”

  “That isn’t true. I could settle down and be a damn good husband.”

  “But you don’t want to.”

  “I might want to with her.”

  “It’s fun right now because it’s new. You’re fucking some girl in a new atmosphere with a new problem, and it’s exciting. Like having sex in the back of your car for the first time. But, that newness will wear off, just like it does with all the other girls I’ve seen you cycle through. Then, what?”

  I pushed my food away. “She’s different. This thing we have is different.”

  He gulped his soda again. “Maybe it is. But, Kelly seems like a decent-enough girl. She doesn’t need to be tied up with a guy like you if you’re just going to continue being a bachelor.”

  “I don’t want to be. Not with her.”

  “Then, be sure about it. Otherwise, you’re stuck. Same sex, same woman, same routine, for the rest of your life. And the rest of your life is a very, very long time to go without touching another woman except her.”

  I stayed quiet for the rest of our lunch, turning his words around over in my head. I figured Clint would’ve been more supportive of me than that. But, then again, he wasn’t about to become the family man.

  I should’ve canceled and had dinner with Zane.

  “Anyway,” Clint said as he wiped off his mouth, “I’ll pick up the tab. You just keep yourself out of trouble, all right?”

  I nodded mindlessly. “Yeah.”

  “Oh, you want one of their milkshakes? I love their salted caramel pretzel milkshake. I can’t get enough.”

  “I’m good.”

  “You sure?”

  I slowly looked up at him. “I’m fine, Clint.”

  He held up his hands. “Suit yourself. I’ll have them bring you a to-go box for your stuff.”

  As he walked away from our table, my eyes gravitated outside. I saw the blinking signs of the casino across the street and figured I could use a bit of a distraction. After loading my food into the container and seeing Clint off, I left my food in my car.

  I strolled across the street.

  “Get the hell outta my way. It’s a fucking crosswalk, asshole!”

  The car horn blared as I crossed the road, and I flicked them off. I didn’t give a damn how it made me look, either. People in Vegas were always so damn moody all the time. And it was times like that that I was jealous of Zane living outside of downtown Vegas. With my hands in my pockets, I strolled into the casino. One of the waitresses came over promptly to take my drink order while I scanned the tables. As far as my eyes could see, there were people playing poker. Blackjack. Roulette, and slots. There wasn’t a free seat in the fucking place at one o’clock in the afternoon on a Tuesday.

  So, I took my drink from the waitress, tipped her, then started walking around.

  “Hooray!”

  “Here they come!”

  “Oh my God, take pictures. Get your phone out. Hurry!”

  I spun around as everyone in the casino stood and held their drinks in the air. I furrowed my brow as I watched the doors of the place burst open, revealing a very happy bride and groom. Everyone yelled and clapped. Some even whistled and hollered. The bride threw her bouquet into the crowd, and I heard women screaming while they reached for it, hoping to be the lucky woman to catch the falling flowers.

  “I got it, I got it!”

  Everyone clapped as the bride rushed over and hugged the woman holding the flowers. Men patted the groom’s back and handed him a drink. An older man with salted hair at his temples lit a cigar for the young man before shoving it between his lips. I sipped my drink as I made my way into a corner, trying not to detract from their moment.

  And every time the couple looked at one another, I saw love in their eyes.

  Kelly.

  She was the only person I could think about as I threw back the rest of my drink. While the blushing bride kept hugging people, I kept envisioning Kelly in a beautiful, flowing white gown. I thought about the cigar Zane would want to share with me after being my best man at my wedding. Because I knew damn good and well, my father wouldn't give a shit. Or, more aptly, would find some reason for it to disappoint him.

  Nonetheless, I couldn't stop daydreaming about Kelly and the kind of wedding she’d actually want.

  “My stars, is that Brenden Hearthstone?”

  The familiar voice pulled me from my trance, and I automatically wished I had another drink.

  “It is, it is,” I said.

  LaShonda sauntered in front of me before she plucked my empty glass from my hand. Before exchanging it with another drink that was identical to the one I had been sipping.

  I chuckled. “How long have you been watching me?”

  “Such a terrible word, ‘watching.’ Maybe I simply noticed you when you walked into a room. And I do know your habits, Brenden.”

  “That’s very true.”

  She giggled. “So, what are you doing crashing a wedding party?”

  I paused. “You know the bride and the groom?”

  Her hand fell against my chest. “Shows how much you remember from when we dated. That’s my sister, sweetheart.”

  I paused. “Right.”

  She patted me. “It’s okay that you forgot. I always thought that trait was endearing.”

  “I’m sure you did.”

  She stepped a bit closer to me. “So, what are you doing for the rest of your day? Got the day off work, by any chance?”

  I threw the drink back with one swallow. “Actually, just coming off my lunch break.”

  “So, I take it, that means you can’t stay? Maybe have a dance or two with me?”

  I slipped away from her. “I need to head home.”

  She followed me. “I thought you were heading back to the office.”

  “I’m heading somewhere, yes.”

  “Come on, stay with me. Just one dance. That’s all I’m asking.”

  I set my glass down at the bar. “No, LaShonda. I have to go.”

  She took my hand in hers. “Just one dance. And if you can honestly resist me after that, then I won’t ever pull you aside again.”

  “Ever?”

  She winked. “If you can resist me, that is. Though, if I remember correctly, that never happened.”

  “LaShonda, I have to--.”

  “This’ll be fun. Come on.”

  And even as I tried to find an exit that wasn’t rude as hell during a wedding reception, I couldn't find one.

  Just leave, Brenden. That’s all you have to do.

  So, why did I have such a hard time doing it?

  21

  Kelly

  I paced the living room back and forth while trying not to look at my cell phone. I mean, sure, Brenden wasn’t home. But that wasn’t something to be concerned about, right? He was a big boy with his big boy business, and I’m sure he had a lot on his plate with projects and things.

  Right?

  “Come on, Kelly. He told you he’d be home for dinner and a movie.”

  I pinched the bridge of my nose and sighed. I turned towards the massive windows in the living room and gazed out over Vegas. The sun had set. The stars were out. And we were supposed to be enjoying a movie on the couch together. But instead, I was here--alone--with our Thai food growing cold.

  “Where the hell are you?” I grumbled.

  I pulled my phone out of my pocket and crafted a text to Brenden. I wanted to know where he was and what time he’d be home because frankly… I was starving. And if something had come up at work, all he had to do was tell me.

  But, I didn't get a response back from the message I sent off.

  So, I called his brother.
>
  “Hello?” Zane asked.

  “Zane, it’s Kelly.”

  “Oh, hey there. Everything all right?”

  I heard Karina giggling in the background, and I furrowed my brow.

  “Didn’t I call your office phone?” I asked.

  He snickered. “You’re fine, it’s okay. I was just, uh, taking a break.”

  Karina started giggling again, and I rolled my eyes.

  “Ew, gross. Okay. Do you know where Brenden is?” I asked.

  Zane chuckled. “Uh, wait. Wait, wait. Brenden? You don’t know where he is?”

  “No. He hasn’t come home yet.”

  “Karina, stop it,” he whispered. “Kelly, you there?”

  “Yep.”

  “Let me shoot you Clint’s number. Clint had lunch with Brenden today, and he never did make it back to the office. I thought he went home to work and spend time with you.”

  “Well, he’s not here. So, I’d like that number. I’m worried about him.”

  “Sure thing. Give me a second.”

  He hung up the phone on me, and I almost called him back. Until his text rolled through with his older brother’s number. I shot off a quick ‘thank you’ before I dialed the number, hoping and praying that there was a logical explanation for all of it.

  “Yeah?” Clint answered.

  I blinked. “Clint?”

  “Yep?”

  “It’s Kelly.”

  “Hey there.”

  “Hey. Uh, listen. You had lunch with Brenden. Right?”

  “Yep.”

  “Have you seen him since then?”

  “Why?”

  I paused. “Because he’s not home yet, so you’re the last one to have seen him.”

  “I mean, that’s not unusual. Sometimes, Brenden blows off work after lunch to drink and go play some slots.”

  “Wait, he actually does that?”

  “I mean, yeah. He works hard. Why not?”

  I shook my head. “Never mind. Any chance you might know where he is now?”

  “Probably at his usual place.”

  “That place got a name, Clint?”

  “Yep. Lucky’s 8. We had lunch across the street.”

  I sighed. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”

  I ended the phone call abruptly and tossed my phone onto the couch. If that slimy little shit thought I was going to stand around and wait for him while he got drunk, gambled, and forgot our plans, then he had another thing coming. I shook my head as I pulled my Thai food out of the bag. I marched into the kitchen and threw it into the microwave, but I paused before I started it up.

  Why should I stay here mad at him?

  “When I could just go get him,” I murmured.

  I abandoned my food and made my way for the elevator. I could have sworn that Brenden had turned over a new leaf. That we were building something special and amazing while we were cooped up with one another. But, if that was how Brenden thought things would be if we were together, he had another thing coming.

  He doesn’t think you guys are together.

  “Shut up,” I whispered to myself.

  I didn’t know what to think. I didn’t know how to feel. All I knew was that Brenden and I had plans, and there was a possibility he’d thrown me to the side to get drunk. I hailed a cab and rattled off the name of the place, hoping and praying that Clint was wrong. Hoping and praying that Brenden was, literally, anywhere else right now.

  “Please don’t be right. Please don’t be right. Please don’t be right.”

  I softly chanted those words all the way to Lucky’s 8. I paid the driver before I headed inside, and the sheer amount of drunk people stumbling around me was insane. Glitter covered the floor. There was a half-eaten cake set up in the corner. Champagne was flowing, and the slot machines were glowing, and everyone around me seemed to be dressed to the nines.

  “Are you with the bride or the groom!?”

  One of the waitresses yelled at me to get over the noise, and I shook my head.

  “Neither! I’m just looking for someone!”

  “I can’t let you in, then. I’m sorry!”

  I sighed. “Look, I’m only here for a little bit. I’ve lost someone, and I want to make sure they’re not here. That’s all.”

  “Bride, or groom’s side?”

  I shrugged. “I don’t know. I really don’t.”

  She looked around. “Fifteen minutes!”

  I nodded. “Thank you.”

  Then, I started my search.

  I walked up and down the aisles of the casino. I passed through cigar smoke and men yelling at one another while sitting at poker tables. The smell of rum and vodka and wine-filled the air as women stood against the walls, drinking and giggling with friends. Lights flashed, and people yelled over my head. Someone spilled a drink to my left, and I felt it splatter against my bare leg. I tried not to grimace as I pushed through the crowd while music blared over the loudspeaker system.

  I finally emerged at the bar, ready for a drink myself.

  Until I heard a familiar voice at my side.

  “LaShonda. You’ve had a bit too much to drink.”

  A woman giggled. “Oh, Brenden. You’ve always been so caring, deep down. You’re really not a player, are you?”

  I slowly looked over, and I proved myself wrong. There wasn’t anywhere else I’d rather that man be. His gambling and being drunk would’ve been a beautiful, romantic scene compared to what I saw unfolding at the corner table beneath a light that didn’t work.

  “LaShonda--.”

  “Oh, man. You still cut nice in a suit, Brenden. You know that? Come here. Give mama a kiss.”

  I turned my back to the scene just as she leaned in. I couldn't take it any longer. I had to get out of there. I pushed my way back through the crowd and charged out of the casino. I flagged down yet another cab before I paid him extra to race me back to Brenden’s place. I felt as if I were moving in a fog. An angry fog that kept looming over my head.

  I didn't come to until I zipped up my last suitcase. Alone.

  Just like I’d been from the start.

  “You're an idiot,” I said breathlessly.

  I clutched my heart as I blinked back tears of hatred and regret. Tears of guilt and sadness. Maybe Brenden never was mine to have in the first place. Maybe people didn’t change. Perhaps people simply were who they were, and that was it.

  Maybe he’s exactly the kind of man we think he is.

  I dragged my things down the stairs and toward the elevator. I’d come back for the rest in a week. But, right now, I had to get out of here. I had to leave that place.

  Not before shooting Brenden a text, though.

  One he probably wouldn’t see until after his night with that slut.

  Me: If you wanted to have a good time with LaShonda at the casino tonight, you shouldn't have treated me as if we were in a relationship. I’ll see you in a week for the annulment hearing.

  Then, I reached for the elevator button. Ready to leave his place for good and put that entire shitshow behind me.

  22

  Brenden

  One Week Later

  I’ll see you in a week for the annulment hearing.

  My eyes grazed over that line multiple times. I wiped at my phone screen for the thousandth time, wondering if, by wiping at it, I might reveal another part to the text message Kelly sent me a week ago. I’d read it so many times I could repeat it to myself. And I did, multiple times.

  Like, in the shower, when I wanted her there with me.

  Or, in bed, at night as I stared at the ceiling.

  Or, getting ready for some sort of business function where I wanted her at my side.

  “If you wanted to have a good time with LaShonda at the casino tonight, you shouldn't have treated me as if we were in a relationship,” I murmured.

  You’re an idiot, Brenden.

  I leaned back against my chair as I turned my phone off. I slid it back into my pocket and looked up
, staring at the empty judge’s bench. Then, I slowly looked over and saw Kelly sitting there, her hands folded in her lap. She wore the most amazing dress: a high-necked, sleeveless black dress with petite pearls around her neck and sensible, close-toed black heels. With her hair piled high, her neck seemed longer. More of an expanse for me to kiss if she’d let me close enough to touch her.

  I knew she wouldn't, though.

  Even though I wanted to tell her how much I loved her.

  “All rise.”

  I stood mindlessly as Judge Asshole made his way to his bench. I stared at the wall as I folded my hands in front of me, ready to get that shit over with. I knew there was no talking to Kelly, no matter how much I wanted to. I wanted to explain myself. I wanted to explain what she really saw in the casino. I wanted to explain to her the real reason why I never left, even though LaShonda came onto me. Because it wasn’t as bad as everyone thought.

  But, I had a reputation.

  So, of course, it looked worse than it already was.

  “You may be seated.”

  I sat back down in my chair, ready to take whatever punishment was dealt. I mean, I’d already lost the woman I fell head over heels for. I couldn't be relieved of much else. Zane wasn’t talking to me because he didn’t want to start arguing about it with his very-pregnant fiancé. Every time I called Clint, all he did was chuckle and tell me how I always had a way of ‘fucking up life.’ While I resolved myself to leaving Kelly alone so things could blow over, that didn’t stop me from sending her exactly twenty-three text messages and leaving twelve voice messages over seven freaking days.

  You’re an idiot and a mess, and she deserves better.

  I hated how right my brain was sometimes.

  “Do either of you have this last week’s summary to turn in?” the judge asked.

  “I do,” Kelly said.

  “Approach.”

  I watched as Kelly walked up to the bench and handed the judge a note. He peered down beyond his small eyeglasses, with his lips downturned into a frown. He harrumphed to himself before looking at me, and I could only imagine what that note said.

  “You know, she’s the only one who turned these in this month,” the judge said.